Stepped reenforced-concrete structure



March 17, 1931. J. RUDERMAN r-:TAL

STEPPED REENORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 29. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Jannes Rudern@ .hn/ Eburon;

A NE f/ BY f Marh 17, l93,1v` J. RUDERMAN ETAL STEPPED REENFOHCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 29, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 O O G Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STAT-Es PATENT OFFICE JAMES HUDEHMAN, or RICHMOND HILL, `AND JOHN nBEnsoN, or

NEW YORK LARCI-IMONT,

STEPPED REENFORCED-CONCRETE STRUCTURE Application filed January 29, 1930. Serial No. 424,186.

Our present invention relates generally to structures, and has particular reference to a stepped concrete structure and a novel type of reenforced concrete riser beam tor use f therein.

A structure typical oat the character to which our invention vhas primary reference is a balcony construction, as, for example, 'for a. theater; but it will be readily understood after this specification is read that our invention has far wider applicability to other stepped structures, suoli as sta-dia and the like.

Briefly, it is a general obj ect of our invention to provide a stepped concrete structure by means of a novel arrangement of, and method of associating, the elements entering into the structure; primarily for the purpose of simplifying the procedure and increasing its eiiiciency from the standpoint of cost, l'abor, and time. A more particular object of our invention is to provide a novel type of riser beam whose employment is a matter of comparative simplicity, dispensing with the necessity for providing form work forpouredv concrete.

rlhe balcony or other stepped structure which results from our method of 'associating` the several parts and form of novel type oi riservheam is equally as strong and secure as the corresponding structures made inthe manner customary heretofore, viz., by pouring concrete into molds or forms. It consists essentially of a series of spacedbridgeboard members, mutually inclined steel beams or the like, a series of reenforced concrete riser beams, and reenforced concrete treads extending between the risers. Our present invention provides for great iiexibility Aof Vdesign as well as for standardization, and a large amount of time, labor, and expense is saved because ofthe novel featuresof our invention.

A riser beam constructed in accordance with our present invention consists essen* tifally oi' a main verticalriser portion of re- Venforced concrete provided' with at least one lateral-ly extending lip at one ot its upper or lower extremities. Where one lip is provided, it extends in a substantially horizontal direction away from the lower edge of the main vertical riser portion, and toward the next lower riser beam. Where two lips are provided, the secondone extends in a substantially horizontal direction away from the upper edge of the main vertical riser portion and toward the next higher riser beam. The riser beam, consisting of the main portion and one or morey lips, is an integral member of properly reentorced concrete.

Certain features of our invention lie in so arranging the reenforcements within the beam that during its employment the association therewith of the other elements of the stepped construction is made simple, eiiicient, and secure.

For the attainment of the foregoing objects and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, we have illustrated several embodiments of our invention in the accompanying drawings wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a riser beam construct-ed in accordance with our present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through the bea-m of Figure l, showing in dot and dash lines the manner in which it is associated with adjacent portions of the structure;

Figure 3 is a View similar toFigure 2, showin g a modiiication,

Figure l is taken in substantially the same direction 'as Figures 2 and 3, showing the manner in which the beam is suppo-rted upon `one of the bridgeboard members;

Figure 5 isa view similar to Figurel, showing a modilied construction of the bridgeboard member;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figures 4cand showing a further modification of the bridgeboard member together with a series of riser beams;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a portion of the stepped structure during its course of assembly; and Y Figure 8 is a fragmentary front view, showing two/ contiguous ends of. riser beams in the manner in which they are supported u-pona bridgeboard member.

Our novel type of riser beam ismost clearly illustrated in Figures l and 2, and consists essentially of the main vertical riser portion of reenforced concrete. This portion will vary in size according to requirements and, by way of example, its longitudinal length from its extremity 11 to its opposite extremity 12 will probably be between eight and fifteen feet. Its width between the front surface 13 and the rear surface 14 will probably be about three or four inches; and its total height from the top surface 15 to the bottom surface 16 will be approximately eighteen to twenty-six inches more or less. All of these dimensions are given by way of example only, and may be varied to suit differing requirements.

This main portion of the riser beam is preferably reenforced by means of the two longitudinally arranged metallic reinforcements 17 and 18 embedded in the bottom thereof, and a series of auxiliary U-shaped metallic reinforcements 19 engaging with the reinforcements 17 and 18 and extending upwardly through the riser portion 10. In the form illustrated in Figure Q, both upper ends 20 and 21 of each reinforcement 19 project upwardly out of the top surface 15, and the forward ends 21 are hooked as at 22 in a rearward direction and are engaged with a longitudinal reinforcing member 23 ultimately to assume its position in an embedded manner in the forward portion of the tread 24.

In Figures 1 and 2, we have shown a pair of laterally extending lips or shelves at the lower and upper ends of the riser portion respectively, these lips extending in opposite horizontal directions. Thus, the lip 25 extends forwardly from the lower end of the riser portion 10, i. e., in the direction of the next lower riser beam, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. Embedded in the lip Q5 is a longitudinal reinforcement 26, and also a series of auxiliary reinforcement members 27. Each of the latter engages with the member Q6 and with at least one of the members 17 and 18, and has a free end QS which projects upwardly out of the upper surface 29 of the lip or shelf 25.

A similar lip 30 is provided at the upper end of the riser portion 10 and extends in the opposite lateral direction. It is provided with the longitudinal reinforcement 31 and a series of auxiliary metallic reinforcements 32. Each of the latter engages with the member 31 and also with a longitudinal reinforcement 8?) embedded in the upper end of the riser portion 10.

The particular arrangement of reinforcements need not in all respects conform with the arrangement of Figure 2, which shows merely by way of example a preferred method of reinforcing the main riser portion and providing a series of auxiliary reinforcement members, certain of which extend upwardly and project out of the main riser portion, others of which project laterally from the main portion 10 into the lip or shelf 30, and still others of which extend laterally from the main portion 10 into the lip or shelf 25, and also out of the upper surface of the latter.

Referring for the moment to Figures 6 and 7, we have shown herein a typical bridgeboard member 311 formed of two steel channels arranged back to back, as shown most clearly in Figure 8. This bridgeboard member is inclined to the desired degree and constitutes one of a series of spaced members of similar nature between which the stepped construction, and particularly the riser beams, is supported. Each bridgeboard member is provided with a series of steps or seats. ln Figures (Seti, we have shown the construction wherein e-ach seat is formed by a T-shaped assembly projecting upwardly from between the channels of the bridgeboard member 34. More particularly, we have shown a vertical plate 35 riveted as at 36 into a sandwiched position between the channels 34 and carrying at its upper end the two oppositely dispose-d angle members 37 and 38.

Each of the riser beams has its lower lip eliminated adjacent its opposite extremities. Thus, in Figure 1, it will be seen that the lip 25 is shorter in longitudinal length than the main riser portion 10. The extremities of each riser beam are therefore capable of amplification to the two corresponding seats on two adjacent bridgeboard members. Thus. in Figure 7, we have shown one extremity 39 of a riser beam 40 resting upon the seat provided by the angles 37 and 3S. The other extremity of this particular beam rests upon the corresponding seat of the next adjacent bridgeboard member. 7e have also shown one extremity 41 of the next higher riser beam l2 resting upon the next higher seat of the bridgeboard member 34. Also resting upon the lower seat illustrated is the left extremity lf3 of the riser beam il which extends toward the right and has its other extremity resting upon the next adjacent bridgeboard member Bit at the right. The left extremity lo of the beam 46 rests in a similar manner upon the seat which supports the extremity 41. The beams 40 and 42, and the other beams of this particular set, will be parallel to each other, although not necessarily so, and will form one section of the balcony construction. The same is true of the beams 44. 46, and the remainder of the beams of this set, although these beams will not be parallel to the beams of the adjacent set but will be slightly oblique with respect thereto so that the entire structure will provide the necessary and customary curvature. Tn other words, the curvature of the finished stepped structure will not be entirely smooth so far as its underlying structure concerned, but will be composed of. a series of adjacent chords of the desired arc.

Laaafao In accordance with our invention, each seat Yon eachbridgeboard member is provided with a pair of upstanding substantially parallel plates .spaced `from each other and arranged on opposite sides of the beam extremities resting thereon. In Figures '6 and 7, forexample, we have shown the upstanding plates 47 and 48 rarranged'ltoward the front and rear respectively yof the extremities 39 and 43. Similarly, plates 49 and L50 are arranged 0n opposite sides of the extremities 4l and 45.

When the balcony construction of Figures 6-8 is in process of erection, the bridgeboard members 34 are tir-stI located and secured in position by any suitable means. The reenforced concrete riser beams, having the requisite height and other dimensions, are then applied to the bridgeboard members so as to span the gaps between them. This application is made witheach riser beam having its Vextremity positioned upon one of the seats and between the two upstanding plates on said seat. The inclination of the members 34, the spacingofthe seats thereon, Vand the dimensions of the riser beams, are so chosen and designed that when this has been accomplished, the upper surface of each lower lip of each riser beam will lie in substantially the same horizontal plane with that of the upper surface of the next lower riser beam.

After this` has been accomplished, the treads are constructed, and pursuant to our objective in eliminating form work, we construct these treads by pouring concrete onto a self-centeringreinforcement mesh. A fragment of this mesh isl shown in Figure 7 and is designated by the reference numeral 51. It is to be seen that it rests upon the upper surface of the lower lip 52 of the beam 42', and also upon the cxtreme upper surface of the beam 40. Concrete is then poured upon this mesh in a wel'l'known manner and ultimately produces the tread designated by the reference numeral 53 in Figure 6. The forward edge 54 of this tread may necessitate the erection of a minor piece of form work so as to cause this forward edge or surface to ali-gn with the forward surface of the beam 40. The tread is intimately and permanently associated with the. two risers between` which it extends-by virtue of the fact that the auxiliary reinforcements extending upwardly from the riser 410 engage with the forward edge portion of themesh 5l; and in a similar manner, the upwardly extending ends of the Y auxiliary reinforcements in the lip` 52 engage with the rear marginal portion of the mesh 51.

The structurel is then completed by grouting the supported extremities of theA riser i* beams onto therespective seats, and it is the function of the upstandi'ng plates 47, 48, etc., to provide a space within which this grouting may be poured. Ultimately, of course, thesuperstrueture of the balcony is provided in the usual manner, it being undermanner in which the seats. upon the bridgeboard members maybe varfivably constructed to suit different requirements. In Figure 4,

lwe have shown a bridgeboard member 56 whereon a seat57 'is provided by simply riveting the same, 4as at 58, to an 'angl-e member 59 carried by the -bridgeboard member 56. In this construction, the upper end of lthe angle member 59 provides the equivalent of the forward .plate 47, Vand the rear upstanding plate is providedsimply by means of an angle y member 5()` riveted, as at 6.1, to the bridgeboard member 56.

` In Figure 15, we have shown a construction which is essentially like that illustrated in Figure 6.', except that the rea-r 4upst'anding plate is provided not upon the seat itself but by means of `an angle member 62; riveted, as at 63, directly to the, brid'geboard member 64.

In Figure 3', we haveushown a slight modification wherein the necessity forfeven the slight form work previously mentioned has been. completely obviated. In 'this lease, the riser portion 65 has an upwardly extending rib 66' which forms a continuation of the forward riser face 67, viz., that face which is 5;

adjacent to the lower lip 6 8. v The rib '66, as shown, is not as wide as the main vertical portion `v6.3, butis just sufficient to completely embed the hooked upper'e-xtremities 69 of the auxiliary' reinforcement 7 0, together with the longitudinal reinforcement 71 engaged by the hook '69'. In this case, the tread 72, when formed, will have its-uppervsurface flush with the upper surface yof the rib,- 66, as 'shown clearly rin Figure 3. I't will be' understood, however, that the rib 66 neednot necessarily' be narrower than the main vertical portion G5'. 1

In Fig-ure 3, we have shown also the further possibility of engagingthe auxiliary reinforcements 73 with all three of the longitudinal reinforcements 74', 75 and 76- einbedded in the lower portion of they beam.

It will he obvious that changes in the details herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining; the nature of our invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. tended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a, limitingsense.

Having thus described ourv invention` and illustrated itsuse, what we-clai-m vas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is.-

As an element of a'stepped concrete structure which includes a pair of spaced bridgeboa-rd members, a reenforced concrete riser beam adapted to:- span the gap; between said; members, said beam comprising a main i" It is therefore in- `vertical riser portion, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of said riser portion respectively, said lips extending in opposite horizontal directions from said riser portion.

Q. As an element of a stepped concrete structure which includes a pair of spaced bridgeboard members, a reenforced concrete riser beam adapted to span the gap between said members, said beam comprising a main vertical riser portion, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of said riser portion respectively, said lips extending in opposite horizontal directions from said riser portion; and the lower lip being shorter in longitudinal length than said riser portion.

3. As an element of a stepped concrete structure which includes a pair of spaced bridgeboard members, a reenforced concrete riser beam adapted to span the gap between said members, said beam comprising a main vertical riser portion, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of said riser portion respectively, said lips extending in opposite horizontal directions from said riser portion; and metallic re inforceinents embedded in said beam and eX- tending laterally from within the riser p0rtion into said lips.

l. As an element of a stepped concrete structure which includes a pair of spaced bridgeboard members, a reenforced concrete riser beam adapted to span the gap between said members, said beam comprising a main vertical riser portion, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of said riser portion respectively, said lips extending in opposite horizontal directions from said riser portion; and metallic reinforcements embedded in said beam and extending laterally from within the riser portion into said lower lip, said reinforcements haring ends which project upwardly out of the upper surface of said lip.

As an element of a stepped concrete structure which includes a pair of spaced brideeboard members, a reenforced concrete riser beam adapted to span the gap between said members, said beam comprising a main Vertical riser portion, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of said riser portion respectively, said lips extending in opposite horizontal directions from said riser portion; and a. series of vertically arranged metallic reinforcements embedded in said riser portion and projecting up mrdly therefrom.

LG. As an element of a stepped concrete structure which includes a pair of spaced bridgeboard members, a reenforced concrete riser beam adapted to span the gap between said members, said beam comprising a main vertical riser portion, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of said riser portion respectively, said lips extending in opposite horizontal directions from said riser portion; and a series of vertically arranged U-shaped metallic reinforcements embedded in said riser portion and having their free ends projecting upwardly out of said riser portion.

7. As an element of a stepped concrete structure which includes a pair of spaced bridgeboard members, a reenforced concrete riser beam adapted to span the gap between said members, said beam comprising a main vertical riser portion, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of lsaid riser' portion respectively, said lips extending in opposite horizontal directions from said riser portion; a pair of longitudinally arranged metallic reinforcements embedded in said riser portion at the bottom thereof,y and a series of U-shaped metallic reinforcements engaging with said longitudinal reinforcements and extending upwardly through and out of said riser portion.

8. As an element of a stepped concrete structure which includes a pair of spaced bridgeboard members, a reenforced concrete riser beam adapted to span the gap between said members, said beam comprising a main vertical riser portion, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper endsl of said riser portion respectively, said lils extending in opposite horizontal directions from said riser portion; a pair of longitudinally arranged metallic reinforcements embedded in said riser portion at the bottom thereof, and a series of auxiliary metallic reinforcements engaging with said longitudinal reinforcements, certain of said auxiliary reinforcements extending upwardly through and outof said riser portion, and certain other of said auxiliary reinforcements extending laterally into said lower lip and also upwardly out of the upper surface of said lip.

9. As an element of a stepped concrete structure which includes a pair of spaced briiflgeboard members, a reenforeed concrete riser beam adapted to span the gap between said members, said beam comprising a main vertical riser portion, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of said. riser portion respectively, said lips extending in opposite horizontal directions from said riser portion; a pair of longitudinally arranged metallic reinforcements embedded in said riser portion at the bottom thereof, and a series of auxiliary U-shaped metallic reinforcements engaging with saidlongitudinal reinforcements and extending upwardly through and out of said riser porH tion, certain of said upwardly proiecting ends of said auxiliary reinforcements beine` hooked. l o

lO. As an element of a stepped concrete structure which includes a pair of spaced lll) bridgeboard members, a reen'forced concrete 1 riser beam adapted to span the gap between said members, said beam comprising a main vertical riser portion, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of said riser portion respectively, said lips extending in opposite horizontal directions from said riser portion; said riser portion having an upwardly extending rib which forms a continuation of the outer riser face.

11. In a stepped concrete structure, a. pair of spaced steel bridgeboard members, a pair of substantially parallel upstanding plates on each side thereof, and a reenforced concrete l5 riser beam adapted to span the gap between said members, said beam comprising a main vertical riser portion and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of said riser portion respectively, said lips U extending in opposite horizontal directions 0 between said members, said beam comprising a main vertical riser portion whose extremities rest upon said bridgeboard members respectively, and a pair of substantially parallel upstanding plates on each of said bridgeboard members, the plates of each pair being positioned on opposite sides of the contiguous extremity of the riser portion.

18. In a stepped concrete struct-ure, a pair of spaced steel bridgeboard members, a re- 40 enforced concrete riser beam spanning the gap between lsaid members, said beam comprising a main vertical riser portion whose extremities rest upon said bridgeboard members respectively, a pair of upstanding plates on each bridgeboard member and on opposite sides of the contiguous extremity of the riser portion, and grouting between the plates of each pair so as to bond said riser portion extremities in position upon said bridgeboard 0 members.

14. In a stepped concrete structure, a pair of spaced steel bridgeboard members, a reentorced concrete riser beam spanning the gap between said members, said beam comr, prising a main vertical riser portion whose extremities rest upon said bridgeboard members respectively, a pair of upstanding plates on each bridgeboard member and on opposite sides of the contiguous extremity of the riser portion, and a reenforced lip integral with said riser portion and extending laterally in a horizontal direction from the lower end of said riser portion, the longitudinal length of said lip being less than that of said riser portion.

15. In a stepped concrete structure, a pair of spaced steel bridgeboard members provided with aligned seats, a set of reenforced concrete riser beams spanning the gap between said bridgeboard members, each beam comprising a main vertical riserportion Whose extremities rest upon a pair of aligned seats respectively, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of each riser portion respectively, each lower lip extending horizontally toward the next lower beam, and each upper lip extending horizontally toward the next higher beam.

16. In a stepped concrete structure, a pair of spaced steel bridgeboard members provided with aligned seats, a set of reenforced concrete riser beams spanning the gap between said bridgeboard members, each beam comprising a main vertical riser portion whose extremities rest upon a pair of aligned seats respectively, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of each riser portion respectively, each lower lip extending horizontally toward the next lower beam, and each upper lip extending horizontally toward the next higher beam; and a reenforced concrete tread extending between each upper lip and the lower lip of the next higher beam.

17. In a stepped concrete structure, a pair of spaced steel bridgeboard members provided with aligned seats, a set of reenforced concrete riser beams spanning the gap between said bridgeboard members, each beam comprising a main vertical riser portion whose extremities rest upon a pair of aligned seats respectively, and a pair of laterally extending lips at the lower and upper ends of each riser portion respectively, each lower lip extending horizontally toward the next lower beam, and each upper lip extending horizontally toward the next higher beam; and a reenforced concrete tread extending between each upper lip and the lower lip of the next higher beam, said tread including a self-centering reinforcement mesh.

In witness whereof, we have signed this specification this 22nd day of January, 1930.

' JAMES RUDERMAN.

JOHN EBERSON.

leo 4 

